Locking quick connect spray shield with visual indicator

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for a quick connect spray shield includes an inner sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to an axis from the first end to the second end, wherein the inner sleeve has an inner surface that is contoured to position the inner sleeve relative to a female quick connect fitting; and an outer sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to the center axis of the inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has an inner surface contoured to position the outer sleeve relative to an actuating collar of the female quick connect fitting, wherein the actuating collar has an engaged position and a disengaged position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of computer coolingdevices, and more particularly to spray shields for quick connectcouplers.

The number of computers, as well as the number of components within thecomputer, has grown steadily since the early 1990s. Accompanying thegrowth of computer usage is increased energy usage. Computer coolingdevices are one major source of energy usage. As the number of computersand components increase, the need for efficient cooling techniques alsoincreases.

Many cooling techniques have been developed for the use in computers,including fans, liquid coolers, and refrigeration. The use of fans inlarge scale computer banks has proven inefficient. Further, the use ofrefrigeration has proven costly. As a result, liquid cooling has becomethe standard for large scale computing cooling.

Liquid cooling utilizes a series of liquid transmission vessels (e.g.,hoses, bladders, heat exchangers, liquid blocks) placed close to thecomputer components. As liquid flows through the vessels, heat istransferred from the components to the liquid in the vessels. The liquidlater runs through a cooler that will absorb the heat before the liquidis recirculated through the vessels. Quick connects are used to jointogether vessels within the cooling system.

A quick connect is a coupler that allows vessels to be joined andseparated with ease. Quick connects are used in the computing coolingsystem as the fittings can be easily manipulated in the small spacesthat often accompany the computing environment.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus fora quick connect spray shield includes an inner sleeve having a firstend, a second end, and a center axis that is parallel to an axis fromthe first end to the second end, wherein the inner sleeve has an innersurface that is contoured to position the inner sleeve relative to afemale quick connect fitting; and an outer sleeve having a first end, asecond end, and a center axis that is parallel to the center axis of theinner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has an inner surface contoured toposition the outer sleeve relative to an actuating collar of the femalequick connect fitting, wherein the actuating collar has an engagedposition and a disengaged position.

As disclosed herein, a method for shielding a quick connect, includesreceiving a force exerted on an outer sleeve, wherein the force isparallel to a center axis of the outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeveis disposed around an inner sleeve, selectively interfering, by a leverof the inner sleeve, with movement of the outer sleeve based on whetherthe lever is in a locked position, wherein the movement is in responseto the force exerted on the outer sleeve, and indicating whether theactuating collar is in an engaged position by selectively presenting anindicator of the inner sleeve through a viewing window of the outersleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is view of the prior art male and female quick connect couplers;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a partial cutaway view of one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention ina locked position; and

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention inan unlocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Quick connect couplings are fittings for vessels within computer coolingsystems that are easy to join and separate in tight spaces. However,tight spaces can make it difficult to determine if the couplings areproperly connected. Improperly connected couplings can allow fluid toleak out of the vessels and onto the computer hardware. Liquids spilledon or near the computer hardware can cause significant damage. Further,traditional quick connect couplings can be accidentally disconnected,further increasing the chances of fluid leaking onto the computercomponents.

The disclosed invention provides an apparatus that can be attached toexisting quick connect couplings. The apparatus provides a secondarylock on the quick connect coupling to prevent accidental release.Additionally, the maneuverability of the apparatus, while attached tothe couplings, provides a highly visible indicator to signify thecouplings are securely locked. Yet another function of the apparatus isto control spray of a disconnected coupling that may result when thecouplings are not properly sealed during the disconnect.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein. The present disclosure will now be described in detailwith reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a view of the prior art male and female quick connectcouplers. Generally, male quick connect 102 and female quick connect 106are readily available in the industry. Both quick connects are generallyformed of metal or plastic; however, many materials can be used to formthe quick connects. In some embodiments, hose 120 is attached to one endof female quick connect 106. Further, another hose (not shown) that issimilar to hose 120 can be attached to hose connection 105 of male quickconnect 102. Hose 120 is readily available in the industry. In otherembodiments, either female quick connect 106 or male quick connect 102may be fixed directly to a device via hose connection 105 or hoseconnection 109.

Male quick connect 102 has nozzle 103 at one end and hose connection 105at the other. Although not shown, a second hose (similar to hose 120)attaches to male quick connect 102 at hose connection 105, which is atthe end of male quick connect 102 opposite nozzle 103. In someembodiments, male quick connect 102 has a series of ridges 104 betweennozzle 103 and hose connection 105. Nozzle 103 is open at one end and isconnected to ridges 104 at the second end. In the depicted embodiment,the opening of nozzle 103 is tapered. In various embodiments, nozzle 103may be tapered more than or less than depicted. In some embodiments,nozzle 103 is not tapered, in which case the opening of nozzle 103 hasan interior diameter at least equal to an interior diameter of theremainder of nozzle 103.

Ridges 104 are used to help lock male quick connect 102 into femalequick connect 106. An external surface of some or all of male quickconnect 102 is contoured to mate with an internal surface of some or allof female quick connect 106. For example, the exterior surface of malequick connect 102 includes an exterior surface of ridges 104 and nozzle103. The external surface of male quick connect 102 is contoured suchthat male quick connect 102 tightly fits within female quick connect106, minimizing fluid leakage when the quick connects are fittedtogether.

Female quick connect 106 has actuation collar 108 on one end and hoseconnection 109 at the other. Internally, female quick connect 106 has aprotruded ring (not shown) that aligns with ridges 104 when male quickconnect 102 is engaged with female quick connect 106. In one embodiment,the protruded ring includes one or more moveable structures (e.g., ballbearings) arranged in an annular pattern around an inner surface offemale quick connect 106. In this case, the moveable structures aremoveable along an axis that is perpendicular to the direction of flow offluid through female quick connect 106. Actuation collar 108 is depictedin an at-rest position, in which position actuation collar 108 exerts aforce on the protruded ring that causes the ring to protrude toward thecenter of female quick connect 106. In this position, the protruded ringhas an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of nozzle 103.Actuation collar 108 is moveable between the at-rest position and aretracted position. In the retracted position, actuation collar 108ceases to exert force on the protruded ring, which is then free to moveaway from the center of female quick connect 106. Actuation collar 108is moved from the at-rest position to the retracted position by exertionof a force that moves actuation collar 108 toward hose 120. Actuationcollar 108 is biased (e.g., by a spring force) toward returning to theat-rest position; therefore, if a force is not applied to actuationcollar 108 in the direction of hose 120, then actuation collar 108 is inthe at-rest position. In one embodiment, the movement of actuationcollar 108 to the retracted position pulls up the protruded ring withinfemale quick connect 106, allowing male quick connect 102 to be insertedinto and removed from female quick connect 106.

For example, if actuation collar 108 is at rest while the quick connectsare not engaged, male quick connect 102 cannot be inserted into femalequick connect 106, as the protruded ring will obstruct the opening offemale quick connect 106. Further, if actuation collar 108 is at restwhile the quick connects are engaged, male quick connect 102 cannot beremoved from female quick connect 106, as the protruded ring locks thequick connects together by engaging ridges 104, interfering with nozzle103, or both. However, if actuation collar 108 is moved to the retractedposition, then male quick connect 102 is able to freely engage anddisengage from female quick connect 106.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a partial cutaway of one embodiment of thepresent invention. As depicted, FIG. 2 includes male quick connect 102,female quick connect 106, floating collar 110, fixed collar 114, andhose 120, wherein the floating collar 110 is depicted as a cutaway, toshow the details of components generally covered by floating collar 110.Together, the components make up the quick connect apparatus assembly.

Floating collar 110 and fixed collar 114 are sleeves manufactured to fitaround existing quick connect couplers. Therefore, the size and internalstructure of both the floating collar 110 and fixed collar 114 vary tofit the size and shape of the quick connect couplers.

Fixed collar 114 is a sleeve that fits around female quick connect 106.Fixed collar 114 covers female quick connect 106 from hose connection109 (FIG. 1) to the middle portion of female quick connect 106, suchthat actuation collar 108 can be moved to the retracted position withoutinterference from fixed collar 114. In FIG. 2, fixed collar 114partially obscures the view of female quick connect 106, which is moreclearly depicted in FIG. 1. Generally, fixed collar 114 is formed of ahard plastic. However, other embodiments can include other materials,such as metals or a combination of materials.

The inner surface of fixed collar 114 corresponds to the outer surfaceof female quick connect 106. The inner surface of fixed collar 114includes a plurality of flanges (not shown), perpendicularly disposedfrom the inner surface of fixed collar 114, which correspond to thecontours of female quick connect 106. The flanges of fixed collar 114are similar to flanges 112 of floating collar 110, as discussed below.The flanges of fixed collar 114 are formed of the same materials asfixed collar 114. The flanges are disposed on the inner surface of fixedcollar 114 proximate each end of hose connection 109 of female quickconnect 106. The flanges position fixed collar 114 relative to hoseconnection 109 of female quick connect 106. The flanges produce acomplimentary inner surface of fixed collar 114 to the outer surface offemale quick connect 106, which allows fixed collar 114 to fit close tofemale quick connect 106. The complimentary surfaces also allows fixedcollar 114 to rotate freely around female quick connect 106 but inhibitfixed collar 114 from moving perpendicularly across female quick connect106, e.g., toward or away from actuation collar 108. The free rotationwill aid in the visibility of indicator 116, described below.

Flanges 112 are formed on the inner surface of floating collar 110, asshown, proximate each end of actuation collar 108. Flanges 112 are usedby floating collar 110 to fit the contours of actuation collar 108 offemale quick connect 106 and the outer surface of fixed collar 114.Flanges 112 inhibit floating collar 110 from sliding perpendicularlyacross female quick connect 106 unless actuation collar 108 is moved tothe retracted position.

Fixed collar 114 is comprised of two complimentary pieces. For example,fixed collar 114 is comprised of a front piece and a back piece. The twopieces snap together using fasteners 118. In one embodiment, fasteners118 are mated pairs of connectors that engage one another. Each matedpair includes a protrusion that mates with a perforation. The frontpiece and the back piece each include one connector of each mated pair.The mated pairs of fasteners 118 engage by positioning the front pieceand back piece together such that the connectors of each mated pairalign. In this embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2, the perforations are madealong the length of the front piece on opposite sides of fixed collar114. Further, complimentary protrusions are made along the length of theback piece. The front and back pieces snap together when protrusions ofthe back piece are fitted to complimentary perforations on the frontpiece. When the front and back pieces are joined together, fitted collar114 takes on a substantially cylindrical hollow shape.

The front piece of fixed collar 114 includes push lever 122 andindicator 116. Push lever 122 works in conjunction with push button 124,shown in FIG. 3. Push lever 122 is positioned in the center of the frontpiece of fixed collar 114. In some embodiments, push lever 122 isrectangular in shape. In this embodiment, push lever 122 is perforatedon three sides, such that when a downward force is applied to push lever122 some or all of the perforated edges are depressed into the hollowform of fixed collar 114. Push lever 122 rests at an angle, such thatwhen fixed collar 114 is formed around female quick connect 106, pushlever 122 is biased away from female quick connect 106.

Indicator 116 is located on push lever 122 on the end furthest from theunperforated edge. Indicator 116 is raised and in some embodiments maybe colored (e.g., red) to make it more visible.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention ina locked position. FIG. 3 shows the quick connect apparatus assemblywith the front piece of floating collar 110.

Similar to fixed collar 114, floating collar 110 is comprised of twopieces. For example, floating collar 110 is comprised of a front pieceand a back piece. The two pieces snap together using fasteners 119. Inone embodiment, fasteners 119 are mated pairs of connectors that engageone another. Each mated pair includes a protrusion that mates with aperforation. The front piece and the back piece each include oneconnector of each mated pair. The mated pairs of fasteners 119 engage bypositioning the front piece and back piece together such that theconnectors of each mated pair align. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.3, the perforations are made along the length of the front piece onopposite sides of floating collar 110. Further, complimentaryprotrusions are made along the length of the back piece. The front andback pieces snap together when protrusions of the back piece are fittedto complimentary perforations on the front piece. When the front andback pieces are joined together, floating collar 110 takes on asubstantially cylindrical hollow shape.

Floating collar 110 is a sleeve that fits around some or all of femalequick connect 106 and fixed collar 114. The internal surface of floatingcollar 110 is complimentary to some or all of the outer surface offemale quick connect 106 and fixed collar 114. The portion of floatingcollar 110 proximate to fixed collar 114 is frustoconical in shape,allowing floating collar 110 to partially slide over the portion offixed collar 114 fitted to hose connection 109 of female quick connect106. In some embodiments, floating collar 110 extends beyond actuationcollar 108 to deflect the spray of fluid that leaks out of female quickconnect 106.

The inner portion of floating collar 110 includes a plurality of flanges112 on each side of actuation collar 108. Floating collar 110 movestoward fixed collar 114 in response to a force exerted on floatingcollar 110 when push button 124 is depressed, such that the indicator116 on push lever 122 is disengaged. Flanges 112 translate the forceexerted on floating collar 110 to actuation collar 108 such that therelative positions of floating collar 110 and actuation collar 108 aresubstantially maintained. Flanges 112 permit floating collar 110 to movetoward fixed collar 114 only when actuation collar 108 moves towardfixed collar 114. In some embodiments, complimentary flanges arepositioned on the outer surface of fixed collar 114 and the innersurface of floating collar 110. In this exemplary embodiment, thecomplimentary flanges cause floating collar 110 and fixed collar 114 torotate simultaneously around female quick connect 106, but does notimpede floating collar 110 from sliding along the length of female quickconnect 106 when indicator 116 is disengaged.

The front piece of floating collar 110 includes push button 124 andviewing window 126. When the quick connect apparatus assembly is in thelocked position, indicator 116 can be seen through viewing window 126.Further, indicator 116 lines up with and locks into viewing window 126when floating collar 110 and actuation collar 108 are in the at-restposition, preventing floating collar 110 from sliding toward hose 120.When force is applied downward on push button 124 the force istransferred to push lever 122. The downward force on push lever 122causes push lever 122, including indicator 116, to move inward, allowingfloating collar 110 to slide toward hose 120. Thus, indicator 116 isvisible through viewing window 126 when actuation collar 108 is in theat-rest position.

Push button 124 works in conjunction with push lever 122 to allowfloating collar 110 to move toward hose 120. Push button 124 ispositioned in the center of the front piece of floating collar 110. Insome embodiments, push button 124 is rectangular in shape. In theseembodiments, push button 124 is perforated on three sides—correspondingto the three perforated sides of push lever 122—such that when a forceis applied to push button 124 some or all of the perforated edges aredepressed into the hollow form of floating collar 110. As push lever 122is located under push button 124, depressing push button 124 alsodepresses push lever 122. As push lever 122 is depressed, indicator 116is unlocked from viewing window 126, allowing floating collar 110 toslide over indicator 116 of push lever 122 to a retracted position.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention ina retracted position. When the quick connect apparatus assembly is inthe retracted position, indicator 116 is not visible through viewingwindow 126. The quick connect apparatus assembly in in the unlockedposition when floating collar 110 is slid back, toward hose 120, inpreparation for mating the couplings.

As described, the quick connect apparatus assembly is unlocked bydepressing push button 124 of floating collar 110. Flanges 112 moveactuation collar 108 toward hose 120 when floating collar 110 is movedtoward hose 120. Moving actuation collar 108 unlocks the quick connectassembly and allows male quick connect 102 to be inserted or removedfrom female quick connect 106. To lock the quick connect apparatusassembly after male quick connect 102 is inserted within female quickconnect 106, floating collar 110 is moved away from hose 120 untilindicator 116 can be seen through, and is locked into, viewing window126.

Floating collar 110 and fixed collar 114 provide double security for thequick connect system. First, indicator 116 in viewing window 126 showsthat female quick connect 106 is in the locked position. Without thisindicator, a user may falsely believe the quick connect assembly islocked, which can result in liquid spills. Second, push lever 122 andpush button 124 prevent female quick connect 106 from beinginadvertently unlocked. Without fixed collar 114 and floating collar110, actuation collar 108 can be inadvertently moved away from malequick connect 102, causing the quick connect assembly to disengage. Forexample, if the edge of actuation collar 108 gets caught in a computerassembly, actuation collar 108 can be moved to the retracted position bya force exerted on a hose attached to hose connection 105 that isdirected away from actuation collar 108. In this example, floatingcollar 110 and fixed collar 114 protect the quick connect frominadvertently disengaging. In particular, disengaging the quick connectrequires a simultaneous inward force on push button 124 and an force onfloating collar 110 toward fixed collar 114. The multi-directionalforces required reduce the chances of an accidentally unlocking ordisengaging the quick connect.

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick connect spray shield apparatus, theapparatus comprising: an inner sleeve having a first end, a second end,and a center axis that is parallel to an axis from the first end to thesecond end, wherein: the inner sleeve has an inner surface that iscontoured to position the inner sleeve relative to the outer surface ofa female quick connect fitting, and the inner sleeve is positioned awayfrom an actuating collar of the female quick connect fitting such thatthe actuating collar is operable to move between the engaged positionand the disengaged position without interference from the inner sleeve;an outer sleeve having (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) acenter axis that corresponds to the center axis of the inner sleeve,wherein: the first end of the outer sleeve is operable to receive a malequick connect fitting that mates with the female quick connect fitting,the outer sleeve has an inner surface contoured to position the outersleeve relative to the actuating collar of the female quick connectfitting, the actuating collar has an engaged position and a disengagedposition, and the outer sleeve further comprises a viewing window thatis operable to align with an indicator of the inner sleeve when theactuating collar is in the engaged position, and wherein the indicatoris operable to lock into the viewing window when the viewing window isaligned with the indicator.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theouter sleeve further comprises: a plurality of flanges protruding fromthe inner surface of the outer sleeve, wherein: the plurality of flangestranslate a force exerted on the outer sleeve to the actuating collar,the force is exerted in a direction parallel to the center axis of theouter sleeve, and the position of the actuating collar is maintained. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator is disposed upon a leverlocated on the outer surface of the inner sleeve.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the lever is biased toward a locked position, andwherein the lever is moveable to an unlocked position by movement towardthe center axis of the inner sleeve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the indicator unlocks from the viewing window by movement of thelever toward the center axis of the inner sleeve.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the outer sleeve has a flexible portion that translatesforce to the lever of the inner sleeve, wherein the force is toward thecenter axis of the outer sleeve and wherein the flexible portion isaligned with the lever of the inner sleeve.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the female quick connect fitting transmits fluid in a directionparallel to the center axis of the inner sleeve and the center axis ofthe outer sleeve.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeveextends beyond the actuating collar, wherein the outer sleeve deflectsthe fluid upon a leak from the female quick connect fitting.
 9. A quickconnect spray shield apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an innersleeve having a first end, a second end, and a center axis that isparallel to an axis from the first end to the second end, wherein theinner sleeve has an inner surface that is contoured to position theinner sleeve relative to the outer surface of a female quick connectfitting, wherein the inner sleeve is positioned away from an actuatingcollar of the female quick connect fitting such that the actuatingcollar moves between the engaged position and the disengaged positionwithout interference from the inner sleeve; an outer sleeve having (i) afirst end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) a center axis that correspondsto the center axis of the inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has aninner surface contoured to position the outer sleeve relative to theactuating collar of the female quick connect fitting, wherein theactuating collar has an engaged position and a disengaged position; aplurality of flanges protruding from the inner surface of the outersleeve, wherein the plurality of flanges translate a force exerted onthe outer sleeve to the actuating collar, wherein the force is exertedin a direction parallel to the center axis of the outer sleeve; anindicator disposed upon a lever located on the outer surface of theinner sleeve, wherein the lever is biased toward a locked position, andwherein the lever is moveable to an unlocked position by movement towardthe center axis of the inner sleeve; a viewing window disposed upon theouter sleeve that receives the indicator of the inner sleeve when theactuating collar is in the engaged position, wherein the indicator locksinto the viewing window when the viewing window is received by theindicator, and wherein the outer sleeve is impeded from moving when theindicator is locked into the viewing window; a flexible portion disposedon the outer sleeve that translates force to the lever of the innersleeve, wherein the force is toward the center axis of the outer sleeveand wherein the flexible portion is aligned with the lever of the innersleeve, and wherein the force on the lever unlocks the indicator fromthe viewing window; and wherein the outer sleeve is able to slideparallel to the center axis of the outer sleeve when the indicator isunlocked from the viewing window when the force is exerted in adirection parallel to the center axis of the outer sleeve.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the first end of the outer sleeve receivesa male quick connect fitting that mates with the female quick connectfitting.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the female quick connectfitting transmits fluid in a direction parallel to the center axis ofthe inner sleeve and the center axis of the outer sleeve.